Power-driven washing machine



March 10, 1925. 1,529,623

w. H. HUENERGARDT POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1918 4Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTCE! ATTORNMS March 10, 1925.

W. H. HUENERGARDT POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15 1918 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ffuenerya/rd t.

1,842 ATTORNEYS March 10, 1925. 1,529,623

w. H. HUENERGARDT POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15 1918 4Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR WHHuen er a ril- March 10, 1925. 1,529,623

w. H. HUENERGARDT POWER DRIVEN WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15 1918 4Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

UNITED srnzrns PA-TENT "OFFICE.

mineruvrruturrrcrmeme:" oo. on imc'onn. N'eBRA's-KA, A CORPORATION.

-0WERDRWEMWASHING MACHINE.

-(A.pplicationfiled February 15, 1918 Be it known that I. VVILLIAM HtHUrreEnminnr a citizen of the United States, residing at Lincoln, in thecounty of Lancaster and F tate of l\ 'el;rraska. have invented certainnew and useful Improvements -in PoweuDriven \VashingsMachines, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention seeks among other objects, first. to make an improved powerdrive for swinging typewashing machines and wringcrs of a simple,durable and convenient construction. I

Second. to provide, in a machine ofthe general character stated. animproved construction of frameworkin which is included an improved rigidbase section. an upright section mounted thereon having means forswingably supporting the wash tuh, a'power mechanism compactly mountedon the upright section and located helov the axis of the swingable tubso thatlthe till) and the power mechanism may be mounted in closerelation and a wringer supporteddirectly above the said powermechanisnn-an'd I Third. my invention contemplates "the mounting of thepower shaft below the tuh in such 11113111191 that, when the washer isdriven from the engine, the 'driving'helt will he on the opposite s deand out of the way.

Another object. of my invention is to provide an improved constructionand arrangement of the suds. tub, the wringer, a sin)- hortingfnameworlr I therefor and an improved construction of power mechanismincluding means for controlling the said mechanism, whereby to transferthe powerto either the tub oscillating devices or 'for rotation of thewringer in either direction, at will, the said controlling meansincluding a device for effectingvthe shifting of thetuh oscillatingmechanism into or out of operative connection with the powenshaft and atthe same-time provide forlockii g'the'tub against motion and to hold itstationary while usingthe wringer and, under another adjustment. unlockthe saidtub as thepdweir transmitting means is being again adjusted forswinging the tub.

Another object of my invention is provide a power driven mechanism ofthe character stated in which is embodied an Serial 1105217364.

improved combination and arrangement of the parts that constitutea'supporting frame particularly designed for supporting the suds tub tooscillate in a plane parallel with thewvringer mounted in close relationto the tub, and for sustaining the main or power driven shaft'alsoparallel with -the-direction of oscillation of the tub and the positionofthe wringer and forso' locating hand'controls at the same end of themachine and in such close relation, whereby the shifting of 'power fromoscillation of the tub to rotation of the wringer, in either direction,may be conveniently and with certainty edected.

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine having amongother advantages. in addition to those ahove outlined. certain improvedfeatures in the frame construction, whereby the machine parts may hequickly assembled to the operative position and which can he cheaplymade and yet .provide a durable construction throughout, whenoperatively connected.

Further objects of my invention wi ll'be apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inWhich:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improvedconstruction of power drivenwashing machines.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Figure-3 is a rear elevation and more particularly illustrates theworking parts, including the hand control lever device that constitutesa part of the main clutch shifting means.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are detail views that illustrate different forms ormeans for applying power tothe main or power shaft. its hereinafter morespecifically described.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the complete steel sup mrting framehereinafter specifically mentioned. A

Figure? isaplan view;of the starting rod hand lever device, the handlever being shown in full lines in'the position when the shifter rod isin the full line or clutch release position shown in Figure 9,,the'dotted lines win this figure indicating the position of'the handlever, when set to interlock with thetub.

Figu're'Qis a diagram which illustrates the two positions of the clutchshifting rod, the broken lines indicating the position when the clutchis applied and the tub is working, the dotted lines 7 on Figure F4indicating the c l-res ioodiug position of tho ((rllfltil lever.

Figure 10 is a perspective view that shows the control lever positionedfor interlockably engaging with the locking bracket on the tub.

Figure 11 is a peispective view of the locking bracket that engages thecontrol lever.

Figure 12 is a detail perspective view of the wringer control leverdevice hereinafter referred to.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the clutch devices for the main drivegear.

\Vhile the drawings illustrate a practical form of my inveiition. it isunderstood that my said im ention is not restricted in exact conformityof the parts shown and described and that changes or modifications ofthe construction shown may be made so long as they come within the scopeof the appended claims.

In the construction shown in the drawings. the supporting frame includesa base section composed of two opposite s de angled bars 04-64. a crossbar secured by bolt and nut fastenings to one of the ends of the sidebars (34 whose other ends are secured to an angled cross bar 62 that isbent horizontally inward as at 62 to provide for placing a pail underthe drain faucets T4 of the tub, as shown.

An upright steel frame. hereinafter termed the working parts sustainingframe. is mounted on the base section. as is best shown in Figure 7. andthe said frame consists of a pair of angled bar uprights 6t bolted orotherwise secured to the base members 64-64 and braced along the innerside by a number of cross angled bars 676'i'. which in turn are bracedby angled bars 68-08 and flat brace bars 9 ';9, the latter serving thedouble purpose of keeping the base structure in square and the lowerangled members 67 rigid during the operation of the machine.

Supplemental frame members. in the nature of a pair of legs (ll-1. alsoof angled steel. are provided whose lower ends are bolted to the opposte ends of the base member 62. The legs 01-G1 converge from the base andtheir upper ends join with a cap plate 4 having a bearing 4 to receive.the outer axial stud of the tub 1, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and2.

The clothes tub or receptacle 1 is preferably of sheet metal and issuitably formed internally to perform its function. when oscillated inthe manner presently explained.

A plate casting 9 is riveted to the outer or front end of the tub 1 anda like casting 2) is attached to the other tub end to which the powerpitinan or connecting rod 42 is attached at 43.

5 designates a bearing block for the axis of the tub on the wrin er sideand the said bearing block is bolted to the upper converged ends of theangled brace bars 686S.

By referring now more particularly to Figure 3. it will be noticed theside casting 3 has a stud shaft 43 at one side of the tubs axis and aknob-like stud 45 on the other side of the said axis to which is securedone end of a coil spring 44 that operates to check or stop the suds tub1 at the end of its swing and a ds in starting it back again Withoutundue jar or shocks to the oscillating devices.

46 designates a bracket that includes an apertured member for connectingwith the adjacent end of the spring 44. Bracket 46 rivets onto one ofthe upright frame standards 66, see Figure 3.

In my construction of power driven washing machines, I have combined theseveral parts that constitute the supporting frame so that a singlepower shaft may be applied thereto in such manner. whereby to providefor a direct transmission for working the tub. a sub-transmission forworking the wringer in either direction. and individual clutchmechanisms for controlling the main and sub-power transmission devices,the said two clutch mechanisms mounted on the main power shaft andhaving their shifting means so related that the controls therefor arepositioned for convenient and effective manipulation by the operator.

The working or power transmission elements comprise a main shaft 17which may always be in motion and to which the power may be direct to apulley 59* on the outer end of the said shaft. see dotted lines Figure3. or through gear or wheel connections. as shown in Figures 4. 5 and 6,the driving belt coming from any source of power engine or line shaft.

The shaft 17 is journaled with its inner end in a bearing socket 17which is cast on a projection from one of the vertical webs 41* of theyoke-bracket 41. the bracket 41 being approximately rectangular in sideview (similar to the bracket 35) and being bolted to the two lowermostbrace bars 67 of the upright or sub-frame and lies at right angles tothe said frame. as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The outer end of the shaft 17 has bearings in a yoke or bracket 35fastened to one of the base bars 64 and which extends lengthwise of theshaft 17. as is clearly shown in Figure 3, by reference to which it willbe also observed the casting or bracket 35 has a vertical bearing 24 fora vertically extended radial rod 24 which constitutes a transmission forimparting motion to the till loo

wringer devices, in either direction, as presently more fully explained.

By referring to Figures 1 and it will be seen that in my construction ofpower driven washing machines, the wringer is attached to the upper endsof the uprights 66-t16 by brackets 66(S6. the latter also forming thebearings for the shaft of the lower wringer roll 20 that cooperates withthe upper roll 19 in the usual way.

It will be seen, in Figures 1 and 2, that the wringer is locatedadjacent to the tub l but in a plane at right angles to the axis thereofdirectly above and parallel to the power shaft 17.

The power shaft and the mechanism for transmittingthe power to the huband to the wringer as well as the controlling instrumentalities lieclosely together adjacent to the frame which carries them. thusconstituting a compact arrangement of parts which permits-thetub that isplaced on the tub bench to be brought quite close to the oscillatingtub, thereby facilitating the operation of the machine.

By arranging the working parts. as stated and shown. provides. inaddition to a diiect transmission of the power either for working thetub or for working the wringer. such compact assemblage of the saidworking parts that they may be readily crated for storing or shipping.

The clutch mechanism that controls the supplemental transmission foroperating the wringer is best shown in Figure 3 in which 25 and 26indicate opposing beveled clutch gears loosely mounted on the shaft 17and in constant mesh with a beveled gear 25 on the lower end of thetransmission shaft 21.

A shiftable clutch 28 is keyed to the shaft 17 for being moved intoengagement with either of the gears 2.") and 26 or to remain at aneutral position. the clutch 28 is grooved to receive the forked end ofthe shifter 3- that is fixedly connected with a shifting member 32 whichjoins. through a crank con nection 33 (that includes a threaded socket233) with the lower end of the wringer eon trol rod 31, the upper end ofwhich extends through a bracket casting 30 attached to the upper end ofone of the frame uprights ('36.

Q9 designates the wringer control lever that is fixedly attached to theupper end of the control rod 211. Lever 29 has a detent or lug 29 forengaging with an inclined latch flange 29*. see Figure '2. which is soshaped that the lever 29 may be readily turned and held locked to eitherof three positions.for holding the clutch 28 neutral (as in Figure 3) orin engagement with either the clutch gear 26 or gear 97.

31 designates a spring tension for yieldingly holding the lever 29 toits adjusted positions.

In Figure 1, I have shown the shaft 17 as being driven by a motor .35whose power belt 53 takes over a pulley 30 secured on a short shaft =18journaled in the bracket 41. Shaft, t8 carries a gear 4-9 which mesheswith a larger or driven gear 47 on the shaft 11' and the shaft Aw;journals in the brackets it and 33. as shown in l igure The transmissionmechanism for imparting motion to the tub 1 isbest shown in Figures 1..3. S. 9 and 1t) and comprises a clutch gear 18 secured by a key to turnwith the shaft 17 and constantly held in mesh with a beveled disk gear-10 mounted on the countershaft 38 which journals in l)(tll'lfl1 in thebrackets 41. Shaft 38 has a crank 35) that couples with the lower endofthe tub swinging rod 42.

t haft 38 is brought into action.-at desired times. by a eiuteh l5slidably keyed on the shaft 1? and formed with an annular groove forreceiving the clutch shifte 183 adjust ably mounted on the threaded endof a shifter rod 12.

Rod 12. which is suitably guided -in the frame. connects with a crankcasting t] that is attached to the lower end ofa starting rod 10, thelatter being rotatably mounted in upper and lower guide brackets 8and=9. the upper one of which forms a l'iearing on which a lever devicefor controlling the starting rod 10 is yieldingly mounted.

The lever device is shown in detail in Figures 8, 9 and 10 and consistsof a square block 16 fixed. on the upper end of the rod 10, and a. handlever 7 formed with a bifurcated end 7 that straddles the block 16 andis hingedly attached thereto. as is best shown in Figuie it). from whichit will be seen the lever T is cast with a laterally extended couplingmember W having a recess 7, the purpose of which \Vtll presently appear.

Referring particularly to Figure 8. it will be noticed that when thelever T is adjusted to the position shown in full lines. after havingbeen turned in the diiection of the arrow on Figure 8, the rod 10 willhave been likewise turned and the shifter rod 12 will. through the crankconnection 11, have been shifted from the broken line position to thefull line position on Figure 9 and the clutch 15 shifted back out of aclutch engagement with the gear 18. as shown in Figure 3 After shiftingthe control lever to the position shown in full lines Figure 8, torelease the clutch 13. the said lever is swung up to the position shownin dotted lines in Figure 8 and in full lines in Figure 10 with thecoupling member in position for receiving the locking member 6 on thetub in the recess of the lever. to thereby lock the tub against swingingaction.

A compression spring 14 is mounted on the starting or shifter arm '12 totend to throw the clutch 15 out of engagement.

The spring 59 serves both purposes of yieldingly holding the startinglever 7 in both the positions shown in Figure 8; notice al o thepositions of the crank connection 11 on Figure 9.

A compression spring .79, disposed about: the upper end of the startingrod in and engaging the bracket 8 and the collar it) on the rod 10,yieldingly holds the starting and locking lever in its locked orunlocked positions, see Figures 3 and 10.

Swivel castors 72 are attached to the angled iron at one end of themachine and rigid castors 73 are secured on the angled bars 65 on theother end of the machine.

36 designates a water drain for returning the water from the wringer tothe tub and 37 the usual type of reversed board for directing the drainoutside of or onto the member 36.

60 designates a wash basket holding platform and -70 flat braces thathold the upright portion of the angled frame, see Figure 7, square withthe base structure. The members 70-70 form a triangle and therebyoperates as a sort of bridge structure for rigidly bracing the main orbase angle bars 646l so that they can carry the desired load withoutbending under strain.

In this application I make no claim, per se, to the structure shownalone in Figure 7, the framework per so, as that constitutes thesubjectmatter of a divisional application.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. In a washing machine of the class described, a supporting framework,a tub mounted to swing thereon. a power shaft carried by the framework,means connecting the tub and the power shaft for operating the tub, alocking member on the tub, said means including clutch mechanismcooperative with the power shaft. a starting rod for shifting theclutch/ mechanism, and a lever for actuating the rod hingedly connectedwith the said rod. said lever being capable of engaging the lockingmember on the tub when swung to one position and to be disengaged fromthe said locking member when swung to another position.

2. In a washing machine of the class described, a supporting framework,a tub mounted to swing thereon, a power shaft carried by the framework,means connecting the tub and the power shaft for operating the tub, alocking member on the tub, said means including clutch mechanismcooperative with the power shaft, a starting rod for shifting the clutchmechanism, a lever for actuating the rod hingedly connected with thesaid rod, said lever being capable of engaging the locking member on thetub when swung to one position and to be disengaged from the saidlocking member when swung to another position, and tension devicesengaging the starting rod and the framework to yieldingly hold the saidlever at either position.

3. In a washing machine of the class described, a supporting framework,a tub mounted to swing thereon, a power shaft carried by the framework.means connecting the tub and the power shaft for operating the tub, saidmeans including clutch mechanism cooperative with the power shaft, aclutch shifter, a rotatable starting crank rod connected with the saidshifter. a hand lever connected with the rod for rotating it in reversedirections for moving the clutch mechanism in opposite directions, andmeans engaging the crank rod and the framework for yieldingly holdingthe hand lever at either of the rod rotating positions.

4t. In a power driven washing machine, a framework including a rigidbase section and an upright section mounted and braced to the basesection; a tub, means for oscillating the tub on one side of the uprightframe section including a power driven shaft transverse to the axis ofsaid tub and located below and to one side of said tub. in a verticalplane normal to the axis of the tub, and connections that join the tuband the shaft for oscillating the tub as the shaft is in motion andmeans for throwing the shaft out of operative connection, said meansalso being operatively supported by the up right frame section.

5. In a power driven washing machine, a framework including a rigid basesection and an upright section rigidly secured to about the central partthereof, said base section having a tub bench mounted at one end and thesaid tub bench being secured to and bracing said upright section, meansfor oscillating said tub on the side of upright frame section oppositethe tub bench. said means includii'ig a power driven shaft transverse tothe axis of tub and located below and to the side of path of motion ofsaid tub but located near the upright section, and connections that jointhe tub and shaft for oscillating the tub as the shaft is in motion andmeans for throwing the shaft out of operative connection.

6. In a power driven washing machine, a supporting frame comprising abase, a subframe or standard extending upwardly from the base, anoscillatable tub journaled in bearings in said sub-frame and saidstandard and lying with its axis normal to the plane containing saidsubframe, a main shaft journaled in bearings carried by said sub-frameand lying transversely substantially in the plane of said sub-frame,power transmitting and translating mechanism between said main shaft andsaid tub and including gear and clutch devices mounted on saidsub-frame, and controlling instrumentalities on the side of saidsub-frame and connected. With said clutch devices for opcrating them.

7. In a power driven washing machine. a supporting frame comprising abase, a subframe or standard extending upwardly from the base, anoscillatable tub journaled in bearings in said sub-frame and saidstandard and lying with its axis normal to the plane containing saidsub-frame. main shaft journaled in bearings carried by said sub-frameand lying transversely substantially in the plane of said sub-frame,power transmitting and translating mechanism between said main shaft andsaid tub and incliuling gear and clutch devices mounted on saidsub-frame, and controlling instrumentalities on the side of saidsub-frame and connected with said clutch devices for operating them,means operable after 'ilHE clutch devices are disconnected for lockingthe tub against movement.

8. In a power driven washing machine, supporting frame comprising abase, a subframe or standard extending upwardly from the base, anoscillatable tub journaled in hearings in said sub-frame and saidstandard and lying with its axis normal to the plane containing saidsub-frame, a main shaft journaled in bearings carried by said sub-frameand lying transversely substantially in the plane of said sub-frame.power transmitting and translating mechanism between said main shaft andsaid tub and including gear and clutch devices mounted on saidsub-frame, and controlling instrumentalit-ies on the side of saidsub-frame and connected with said clutch devices for operating them,means operable after the clutch devices are disconnected for locking thetub against movement, said last named means including an elementconstituting a part of the clutch controlling instrumentalities, whichis operable to engage an element on the tub only after the clutch hasbeen disengaged, and thereby lock the tub against movement.

9. In a power washing machine in which is included a suitable supportingframe, a tub mounted to swing on said frame, a prime power shafttransverse to the axis of tub and below and to one side of the path ofmotion of said tub, and a transmission gearing connecting the primepower shaft and the tub for imparting motion to the tub, means forthrowing the said mechanism into and out of operation, said means beinglocated on the side of the washer on which the powcr shaft and gearingtransmission are located and including means only operable to lock thetub against motion when disconnccted from prime power shaft.

10. In a power driven washing machine wherein is provided an oscillatingtub, a power applying mechanism for operating the tub, which mechanismincludes a shiftablc clutch clement for rendering the same operative andinoperative; a clutch shifting device including a crank shaft, a leverfor turning said crank shaft, a locking element on the tub and meanscarried by said lever for en aging said locking element after said crankshaft has come to rest on completion of its function exercised inoperatively disconnecting the power mechanism from the tub.

11. In a power driven washing machine in which is provided a tub, powerapplying mechanism for operating the tub, said mechanism including ashiftable clutch for rendering the same operative and inoperative; aclutch shifting and tub locking mechanism comprising a rod adapted to beturned to shift the clutch, a handle member mounted on said rod, alocking element on the tub and a locking element on the handle member,said handle member being connected with said rod, whereby, when thepower mechanism is in operation, said handle member locking element isinoperative with relation to the tub, but, when said power mechanism isidle, said locking element of the handle member may be moved intoengagement with the locking element of the tub, substantially as shownand described.

WILLIAM HAROLD HUENERGARDT.

